The Barrister's Book of Old Fashioneds & Other Cocktails | A Must-Have Bar Book | The Liquor Connoisseur
- connoisseurofliquo
- May 12
- 2 min read
Updated: 12 hours ago
Most cocktail books are either too basic or too precious. The Barrister's Book of Old Fashioneds and Other Cocktails is neither. Crystal and Roger dig into this standout volume and discover a reference work genuinely worth adding to your bar shelf — one that treats the Old Fashioned as the canonical cocktail it deserves to be.
Book Highlights
Title: The Barrister's Book of Old Fashioneds & Other Cocktails
Format: Cocktail reference and guide
Emphasis: The Old Fashioned as a canonical cocktail — variations, history, technique
Additional coverage: Classic cocktails, spirit selections, bar technique
Best for: Intermediate to advanced home bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts
Why the Old Fashioned Deserves a Whole Book
The Old Fashioned is arguably the most important cocktail in American history — a template that defines the ratio of spirit to sweetener to bitters that underlies dozens of other cocktails. Most books give it one page. The Barrister's Book gives it the full treatment: the history, the regional variations, the best bourbons and ryes to use for specific flavor outcomes, and the technique details that separate a great Old Fashioned from a mediocre one.
Crystal & Roger's Assessment
Crystal and Roger go through the key chapters together — the variation section gets particular attention, since the range of Old Fashioned styles covered goes well beyond what most people know. The spirit recommendations are specific and actionable, which they appreciate. The writing respects the reader's intelligence without talking down to newcomers.
How to Use This Book
The Barrister's Book works best as an ongoing reference rather than a cover-to-cover read. The Old Fashioned section alone is worth the purchase price. Build a library of 3-4 quality books on cocktails and this deserves a spot on that shelf alongside the classics.
🥃 Crystal & Roger's LC Recommendations
If you want to elevate your Old Fashioned: Read the variation section and experiment with rye vs. bourbon, different sweeteners, and different bitters combinations. The book gives you the framework; your palate does the rest.
For a gift: Pair this book with a quality bourbon and some cocktail bitters for a thoughtful home bar gift that goes beyond the usual bottle.
If you're new to cocktails: Start here with the Old Fashioned and master it before moving on. One cocktail done well is more valuable than ten done poorly.
LC Verdict
A worthy addition to any serious home bar library. The Barrister's Book earns its focus on the Old Fashioned and delivers enough depth to make it useful for years.
Drink To Remember, Not To Forget. 🥃
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